I'm wanting to close up the 56s cab and am looking for ideas for a battery box. I have a Optima battery. I'm thinking about a drop down box but I really have no idea what one is. I guess I could lay the battery on it's side and possibly use the original location. Thoughts?

 

I bought a drop down box (polished Stainless Steel) from Mid Fifty. Mounts in the stock location or real close. Have not installed it with a battery. But really like it and bought a second one for another build.
Jonesy

 

How does it work?

 

Sorry I am out of town other wise I would post a pic. It has a lever on the side that drops it down so that you can take it out from under the truck. Like I said I have not put a battery in it. I would think you would need to support it as you release the lever. I like the way it tucks up in the frame and out of the way. I will be heading back week after next and could get you a pic. The box is raised on the bottom front lip and the sides also so it really limits the movement, comes with a hold down kit

 

Does it look like this?



Stainless Steel Drop Down Battery Box for Group 24 Batteries | eBay

 

I took some flat steel and welded up a box with a high back, sized to accommodate a battery, cut it about in half, maybe a little toward the front, welded 4 pieces of angle iron on both sides and drilled 2 5/16 inch holes on both sides and mated it together and mounted it under where the battery originally went I think I used 4 3/8 inch bolts to the frame, MAKING sure you have enough gap to run your cables and it doesnt hit the bottom of the cab. Its a huge pain to change the battery because youre trying to push up 50 lbs in a difficult way and then put the front on it and bolt the angle iron together(HOPEFULLY you dont have to change the battery too often). I put some rubber pieces on the bottom and sides to prevent any rubbing, but its heavy enough it doesnt bounce around. Hope that helps. I can try to post a pic if you want. I just sprayed POR-15 on it. I wasnt looking for anything super fancy but it looks good in my opinion.

 

yes that is the one

 

I installed a drop down battery box from a 2000 E-Series option with an aux battery. Looks fairly good, mounts in the original location under the passenger. It has two cables to support it while loading the battery and connecting the cables. The problem is that a battery weighs about 60 pounds plus another 5 for the box, so when you are trying to lift it up into position you are laying on the ground with your arms under the running board extended to almost full length and I for one am not strong enough to hoist the battery and box up into position to slide over the bolt heads that will keep it in place. This can only be done by using a floor jack from the drivers side under the vehicle to raise the box into position. It would be easier if I had a lift where I could get under the battery and box to lift it.

 

I'm leaning more toward buying a drop down. Would love to see one installed though.

 

I just used a tray out of a newer truck and kept the battery in the original location, if I had a drop down box I'd have to put it on a hoist or jack it up to get at it, as it is now I remove the kick panel and roll the carpet out of the way..simple.

 

I used a drop down box made by No Limit...it was given to me so the price was right but I also liked the way that the box has a lip on it that laps over the top of the frame rail. To drop it down you remove one 1/2 inch bolt from underneath...no fancy hinges or swing arms.


BTW - this battery sits in the original location so if I wish I can access it through the floor panel as well.

 

Charlie,
Can you get at the battery from the bottom? I'm not sure I understand about the removing one bolt Do you have a part number?

 

Battery Box

 

Thanks! Now I see what you mean.